Old School is the quintessential Korman book. It has the usual elements of humor and character growth, with a side of differing viewpoints.
Dex has grown up at The Pines, the senior citizen home where his grandmother resides. He is extremely happy among the older folk and feels he is getting the best education possible. The truant officer, however, doesn't agree and off Dex goes on Big Orange. What happens next is a hilarious romp through The Pines, ending in a most unexpected way. You will love it; I guarantee!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Gordon Korman, and the bulisher of the book for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Old School" is a witty middle-grade novel that explores the complexities of adolescence, competition, and what it means to "fit in." The story is narrated by a group of middle schoolers who are each dealing with their own personal struggles. Dexter is twelve… going on eighty-five. He lives at The Pines Retirement Village with his grandmother and he gets along better with senior citizens than kids his own age. He’s been home-schooled by the residents up until the day the truancy officer shows up and announces that Dex has to go to middle school.

Dex is made fun of for his clothes and sticks out like a sore thumb. Dex tries to fit in by fixing the school vending machine with his pocket knife, but is soon suspended for having a "weapon" on campus. Dex is kind of happy to return to the retirement village, but soon his new life is intertwining with his old life.

In conclusion, Old School is another standout novel from Gordon Korman. It’s a compelling read that deftly balances humor and heart, while offering meaningful reflections on integrity, friendship, and the challenges of growing up. With relatable characters and a thoughtful exploration of important themes, "Old School" is a must-read for middle schoolers and provides valuable life lessons.

Twelve year old Dexter has lived most of his life In The Pines retirement community with his grandmother. His parents work overseas and have always meant to send for him but it just hasn’t happen. Therefore all his influences come from senior citizens. Seniors who had impressive careers in their days. He dresses like older folks dress, speaks in antiquated sayings, and grandmother has always cut his hair! So imagine what life is like for Dexter when he is suddenly thrust into public middle school life. He arrives dressed like an old man. But he’s a smart one having learned everything through the wisdom and smarts of the elders. Who all adore this fine young man. For this reason, he doesn’t arrive behind in studies, in fact, he is far more educated than his school peers. Dexter is also very handy with a Swiss army knife and is known for fixing up the broken down old school which gets him in big trouble with the powers that be.

The kids and staff don't know what to make of a boy who dresses and talks like an 80 year old. I fell in love with Dexter and ninety nine year old Leo's relationship. The connections across the age divisions are just beautiful and heart warming.

Old School Is a quick and fun read with realistic and relatable characters. I hope middle grade readers will enjoy another Gordon Kormon great read about differences and acceptance.

Korman's Old School is a hit!
I loved how Korman was able to weave together the lives of the grandparents and the lives of the middle school kids. As someone who was labeled an 'old soul' all my life, this storyline seemed like it could have been written about me, so I easily identified with all of the characters. It is always a treat to see Korman's characters change throughout the events in the novel. Readers will enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of the book, Old School. I loved it. I have read several of Gordon Korman's books over the years and this one is one of my favorites. I think that students will enjoy this book. I'd love to see students go to local nursing homes or care facilities after reading this book and forge new friendships.

A novel that shows appropriate appreciation for our older citizens and the joy of relationship with people of all ages…finally! This story is so well written. I cannot wait to share it with my students!

I've long been a fan of Gordon Korman, so when I saw this book I knew I needed to read it ASAP. It did not disappoint. The premise is fun and super relatable for young readers. The characters are well fleshed out, the plot fun, and the adventure non-stop. Fantastic realistic fiction with quirky characters makes this a 5 star read for me.

When 12 year old Dexter is sent to public school for the first time, there is understandably drama. Dexter was raised by his grandmother in a retirement village and sees things with a unique perspective. The kids at school don't know what to make of a boy who dresses like an 80 year old. And he doesn't understand the appeal of public school. I loved Dexter and Leo's relationship. Loved the connections across age divides and the solid news reporting. I hope my kids will love this as much as I do.

This was a fun, quick read about a boy who was raised in a retirement village and now has to attend public school with the rest of his peers. Korman captures an authentic middle-grade voice paired with a heartwarming story. You can't go wrong recommending a Korman book.

I love, love, love Gordon Korman’s books! This one was no exception. His characters are so real and believable and authentic. I can’t wait to get this for my students! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this ARC!

Once again Gordon Korman does not disappoint! It is an excellent book for a classroom read-aloud or individual readers. I loved all the characters - Dexter, Gianna, Ronny, Jackson, etc. I really liked the interaction of students and residents at The Pines retirement home. I liked how the author showed the residents had plenty to share with the middle school students. They could, and DID, learn a lot from the older generation.
A must-have addition for all libraries with Gordon Korman books!

@gordonkorman #gordonkorman #OldSchool #NetGalley #SchoolLibrary #SchoolLibrarians #PublicLibraries #PublicLibrarians #ReadABook #Books #Read #MGReads MGBooks #MGLit #ElemLit #KidLit

You cannot go wrong with a Gordon Korman book! Dexter is homeschooled at his grandmother's retirement community until he must attend public school or be considered truant from school. I loved the characters and the whole retirement community!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to preview eARC in exchange for a review.

A super fun read. Touching and funny, OLD SCHOOL is full of classic middle school drama with a twist -
senior citizens. Told in multiple points of view, Dexter's transition from home schooler to middle schooler to something
in between is surprisingly relatable. Lots of good characters, a bit of school rules drama, and a nice surprise at the end, this book is
a humorous, kind read - for young and old.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book, this is my objective opinion. Old School was definitely a nostalgia read for me, I've been a Gordon Korman fan since the early '80s when I first read and enjoyed the Macdonald Hall series as a kid. What I have always enjoyed about his books is his sense of humor and the well-developed characters, and this book was no different. Dexter is a unique 12-year-old, having been home-schooled by his grandmother and her friends at the assistant living community where they live together. But what happens when Dexter is forced to go to school and socialize with kids his own age? This story had a great premise, there's lots of warmth and wit (as is typical of this author) with a nice message about valuing our elders as well as questioning whether assimilation to the norm is really such a good thing. I enjoyed reading this book as an adult, and my 12-year-old self would have loved Dexter and sympathized with his predicament. Publishes 1-14-25.

As far as Gordon Korman books go, this was not my favorite, however it was still a masterpiece by one of the best children's authors in the world. There wasn't enough of a climactic buildup to convince me Dex's suspension was a big deal. If you're looking for an introduction to Korman, this is not the book for you, and it is not as good as some of his recent titles, however, if you are a long time reader, I encourage you to check the book out, even if it may be slightly disappointing compared to his other works.

I would rate this book a 3.5 if allowed.

Dexter has lived with his grandma as the youngest resident in the old folks home for many years. But when a mistake comes to light, he now has to go to middle school. It goes pretty much how you would imagine with Dexter struggling to fit in with all the life changes since the rest of the people he knows have gone to school. But things get wild when he's expelled for possessing a weapon (Swiss Army Knife) and the school rallies to his defense. Will Dexter go back to middle school? Does he even want to?

Korman has done it again. I really enjoyed this story. As a former homeschooler, it's nice to read about a homeschooler who had struggles fitting in, but eventually figured out their own space in the world. I just wish I'd had Dexter's confidence when I was a kid.

Dexter Foreman lives in a retirement community. Dex can fix just about anything with a Swiss army knife. Dex's best friend is about to turn one hundred years old.

Dexter Foreman is only twelve years old.

It takes a village to raise a child is a very true quote for Dex's situation. Being homeschooled by his grandmother and all the other retired elderly people who live in Pines Retirement Village, Dex knows everything he'll ever need... except how to make friends with kids his own age.

But that changes fast when Dex suddenly has to start going to Wolf's Eye Middle School. Before he knows it, Dex is on the math team, winning his first school fight, and being investigated by aspiring journalist Gianna Greco.

Does Dex have what it takes to “fit in” with everyone else, or is “real school” holding him back?

Gordon Korman once again writes a book that's out of this world.

This book finally redeems the Korman original, Schooled. And that's all thanks to Dexter Foreman. I didn't feel like Dex was stereotyped into oblivion, but rather, he was his own interesting character who just happened to be homeschooled. It's very refreshing and classic Gordon Korman.

This book was clean and didn't have any bogus stuff in it, which is always great. Especially for a book coming out in 2025, that's very impressive and admirable.

My only wish right now is that the next Gordon Korman book is about a public schooler becoming homeschooled… Now that would be awesome.

Dexter Foreman loves shuffleboard, breaks codes from World War II, and loves his afternoon tea. All things that are perfectly normal in his life at The Pines. But, what’s not normal is Dexter is only 12 years old. You see, Dexter lives with his grandmother at the retirement home. While he has been educated by some of the brightest minds in the area, it isn’t good enough for the local school system. When he has to report to middle school, his life is thrown for a loop. To say that he “sticks out” is an understatement. Suddenly, everything Dexter knows is put into question and he just wants to go back to The Pines. As Dexter is feeling out his new surroundings, the question becomes can he survive middle school?

I absolutely loved this book. Middle school is hard enough for kids, but to be transported from a retirement home where you are the only child, into a middle school, where you are surrounded by people your own age is not setting you up for success. All of the mannerisms that Dexter has completely transported me to my grandmother‘s retirement home growing up. I love how he is able to stay true to who he is while exploring this brand new environment. As a reader, you can empathize with all of his emotions which makes him completely endearing. My only complaint is the cover art with a bird on the front. I understand the reference, but I just don’t think it fits the book. It is realistic fiction and the cover almost makes it seem like fantasy.

I read this book with my 13 year old and he has loved every Gordon Korman book he has read and this was just added to that list. I feel these are such important topics and scenarios to write about in juvenile books

As always, Korman has written a touching and tender story while always knowing when to insert that humorous touch.
Dex is a senior citizen in a 12-year-old body. This will go a big way in exposing older elementary school students to the benefits of the elderly and older generation. The theme of kindness permeates the pages alongside the urge to laugh and laugh some more.
Korman is a favorite in my Media Center and never disappoints. The metamorphosis from old to young while never losing your compassion for either was a joy. Loved it!

My goodness was this cute. The synopsis grabbed my attention so I requested this but didn’t think it would grab my interest as quickly as it did. Only a few sentences and I was hooked! This was a book that kept me thinking about it randomly through the day, wondering what was up next and how everything would play out.

I really love this story and this will be at the top of the list when my daughter hits middle grade reading. This is a fantastic story that I highly (is there something higher than highly?) recommend for anyone who loves unlikely intergenerational friendships and adorable characters!

Thank you HarperCollins Children’s Books for the arc via Netgalley!

Coming January 14, 2025